Published: 17 Dec 10 13:13 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20101217-31873.html
Former Bundesbank board member Thilo Sarrazin has become a millionaire many times over thanks to the proceeds of his inflammatory book attacking Muslim immigrants.
External link: See interview here (in German) »
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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Your comments about this article:
What he said was that the xenophobia that has fueled countless wars and killed millions is alive and well, that racial bigotry hasn't gone away, and that the human race still has a long way to go in learning to live peacefully. He reminded us all that it's still easier to fear and hate than accept and learn. He explained exactly how stereotypes allow us to dismiss things that challenge our simplistic beliefs.
In short, he told us a lot about ourselves, and very little about those we choose to fear because they are somehow different. Like others who have written books in Germany, he again explained and demonstrated the skills of creating racial hatred for people who are not racially different. I hope genetic research can quickly identify the "Jewish Gene" so we can have a test for it. It would save a lot of time, and we wouldn't need those bothersome eye charts and nose measurements.
I suspect he made a lot more money from this book than the last guy who wrote one of these.
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We have folks like this in the USA, but they have little swing in the immigration hub-cities (NYC, Boston, New Orleans, LA, SF, Seattle, etc.).
It is OK to have the discussion so long as you can pay-the-piper for the value judgements that it brings from outsiders.
...and Germany really SHOULD be one of the shining stars of the EU for immigration...
'They took my job!' - get better trained then.
'They don't speak my langauge!' - I doubt you've got anything they want to hear.
'They wear different clothes!' - says you in your Lehderhosen.
I read the book. Yes, it has a certain skewed perspective but it does make valid, factual points. I disagree with him on some points but also agree with him on others.
Don't let the media twist his words. Read the book before making up your opinion.
Why should it be so important to assimilate? Cant differences and diversity be celebrated? If a Swede comes and lives in Germany, he is not asked to assimilate or "integrate"....why? is it because he just looks so similar? If I feel proud of my culture and background, and am a productive law abiding citizen of this country, i see no reason why I should get rid of my own culture and background, just to "fit in". I don't have to "fit in"....i have to be accepted as an equal, just like everyone else. Is that not equality and justice, in the "civilized" world?
"It is not racism or xenophobic, or backward, or in any way shape or form evil to demand that immigrants to Germany adapt the culture and language."
No it isn't but it is racism to say that a person is unable to do so just because he is from another culture/race. I think thats what this discussion should be about and thats why Sarrazins book should be critticized.
When it comes to assimilation, my opinion is that a immigrant should learn the language and respect the values of the culture but that every person has a right to keep it's cultural identity. This aplies just as much for swedes (like myself) as for iranians or turks.
Oh! That's alright then!
Remember! The people Sarrazin is complaining about are generally born in Germany, often their parents were born in Germany; their families have two, three members working hard in German firms making German exports and paying German taxes. Sure they prefer to speak something else, not eat sausages or drink beer and wear headscarves - so what!
And, what they have to do with the Saudi equivalent of the racists on this forum I cannot understand at all.